U.S. patent application number 11/421552 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for food tray with non-slip inserts.
Invention is credited to Ashley Hatcher.
Application Number | 20070278126 11/421552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788847 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070278126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hatcher; Ashley |
December 6, 2007 |
Food Tray with Non-Slip Inserts
Abstract
A tray system, comprising one or more retaining portions for a
food container, the one or more retaining portions receiving and
securely holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system includes
one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to deepest
recessed retaining portion of the tray. The feet may allow the tray
to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray may have a non-slip
removable insert inserted into the retaining portion which may be
fitted to the bottom of the retaining portion and may maintain grip
on serving tray and food container.
Inventors: |
Hatcher; Ashley; (Columbus,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
1900 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1109
US
|
Family ID: |
38788847 |
Appl. No.: |
11/421552 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/565 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/565 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A tray system, comprising: a serving tray comprising; one or
more retaining portions for a food container, one or more feet; and
at least one non-slip removable insert inserted into and fitted to
each of the one or more retaining for maintaining grip on the
serving tray and the food container.
2. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the one or more retaining
portions are recessed; and the one or more feet are of a height at
least equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the serving
tray, wherein the feet allowing the serving tray to sit stably on a
flat surface.
3. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the
inserts comprises silicon.
4. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the tray comprises
melamine.
5. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the
inserts comprises rubber.
6. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the
inserts comprises an insert having a smooth side and an opposite
side with at least one raised surface.
7. The tray system of claim 1 further comprising at least one of
the inserts containing a logo.
8. The tray system of claim 1 further comprising at least one of
the inserts containing a decorative design.
9. The tray system of claim 1 further comprising a second serving
tray, wherein the serving tray and the second serving tray are
stackable.
10. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the serving tray is composed
of substances that are dishwasher safe.
11. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one insert is
composed of substances that are dishwasher safe.
12. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the
inserts is interchangeable with other trays.
13. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the serving tray further
comprises a handle at two opposite edges thereof; the handles
having a slotted portion therein for gripping.
14. A food tray, comprising: one or more recessed portions for a
food container; one or more feet which are of a height at least
equal to deepest recessed portion of the tray, wherein the one or
more feet allowing the tray to sit stably on a flat surface; and
one or more non-slip inserts inserted into and fitted to the one or
more recessed portions; wherein: the one or more non-slip inserts
maintaining grip on the food tray and the food container; the one
or more non-slip inserts are removable and reusable; the food tray
is made of substances that are dishwasher safe; the at least one of
the inserts is made of substances that are dishwasher safe; and the
food tray is stackable with additional food trays.
15. The food tray of claim 14 wherein at least one of the inserts
is composed of silicon.
16. The food tray of claim 14 wherein the food tray comprises
melamine.
17. The food tray of claim 14 wherein at least one of the inserts
are composed of rubber.
18. A lap tray, comprising: one or more recessed portions for a
food container; one or more feet which are of a height at least
equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the tray, wherein
the one or more feet allowing the tray to sit stably on a flat
surface; and one or more non-slip silicon-based inserts inserted
into and fitted to the one or more recessed portions; wherein: the
one or more non-slip silicon-based inserts maintain grip on the lap
tray and the food container; and the one or more non-slip
silicon-based inserts are removable and reusable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a food tray having non-slip
inserts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many devices exist for serving food. Some systems include
indentations and surface coverings but have known drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tray
system is provided that comprises one or more retaining portions
for a food container, the retaining portions receiving and securely
holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system may contain one or
more feet which may be of a depth at least equal to the deepest
recessed portion of the tray, such that the one or more feet may
allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray system may
contain one or more non-slip inserts inserted into the one or more
portions, which may be fitted to the bottom of the portions. The
inserts may maintain grip on the serving tray and a food container
and may be removable and reusable. The removal of the inserts may
facilitate ease of cleaning and prevent buildup of dirt underneath
traction surfaces. The tray and inserts may be composed of
materials that are dishwasher safe. The tray may be stackable. The
one or more inserts may be interchangeable such that inserts from
one tray may be utilized for another tray, allowing a tray's
inserts to be replaced or their color to be varied. The tray may
have handles at two opposite edges thereof; the handles may have a
slotted portion therein for gripping.
[0004] Other advantages will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art upon review of the entirety of this patent
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a top, angled view of a food tray with
recessed portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a food tray with recessed
portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a food tray with recessed
portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a food tray with recessed
portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts a view of both sides of an insert showing the
smooth side and an opposite side with a raised pattern.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed in
detail below. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed,
it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes
only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
other components and configuration can be used without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0011] As discussed above, various embodiments and iterations of
the present invention relate to a food tray. FIG. 1 illustrates a
tray 100 which has a main body including one or more retaining
portions 110. In some embodiments retaining portion 110 may be
recessed. In other embodiments retaining portion 110 may be formed
by using one or more raised surfaces. In some embodiments the tray
110 may be composed of the chemical compound melamine. In some
embodiments tray 100 may be formed using a plastic. In some
embodiments the tray 100 may be composed of wood, metal, glass or
other materials or some combination thereof. In some embodiments
the tray 100 may be made of substances that are dishwasher safe. In
some embodiments, tray 100 may comprise a tray with one or more
handles 130 for gripping the tray. In one embodiment the tray may
comprise a tray with handles at two opposite edges thereof; the
handles may comprise a handle 130 a slotted portion 140 therein for
gripping. The retaining portions 110 may be designed to receive one
or more inserts 120. Inserts 120 may fit in retaining portions 110.
Inserts 120 may also grip securely to tray 100. Inserts 120 may
provide traction for serving containers such that when tray 100 is
not level the inserts may greatly reduce the chance of container
slippage. In some embodiments inserts 120 may be silicon based. In
other embodiments the inserts 120 may be composed of rubber or
other suitable materials or some combination thereof. In some
embodiments inserts 120 may be permanently affixed to the bottom of
retaining portions 110. In some embodiments inserts 120 may be
composed of non-stick materials. In some embodiments inserts 120
may be removed for cleaning to prevent the buildup of dirt
underneath the inserts 120. Inserts 120 may be made of substances
that are dishwasher safe. Inserts 120 may subsequently be reused.
Inserts 120 also may be printed in a variety of colors, with
various designs or logos so that users of tray 100 may change the
appearance of the tray 100 for personal taste, marketing or other
reasons by switching inserts. In some embodiments the ease of
removal of inserts 120 may also allow for replacement of inserts in
the event an insert is worn or damaged.
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a side view of tray 100. Food tray
100 may comprise a tray with one or more feet 200. Feet 200 in some
embodiments offset recessed portions 202 and 204 respectively such
that when the tray 100 is placed on a flat surface it may sit
stably. The height of feet 200 in some embodiments may be equal to
or greater than the depth of the deepest recessed portion of their
respective trays so that they may achieve this stability. In some
embodiments tray 100 may be constructed such that the bottom 206 of
tray 100 is a smaller perimeter than the perimeter of top 208 of
tray 100. In such an embodiment the bottom perimeter of recessed
portions 202 and 204 would also be smaller than their respective
top perimeters. This embodiment may permit tray 100 to be
stackable.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of tray. Inserts 120 are shown
inserted into retaining portions 110. Some embodiments of tray 100
may be a round shape, an oval shape, a square shape or other
practical shapes. Other embodiments of tray 100 may have a
different arrangement or number of retaining portions. In some
embodiments tray 100 may contain more than one retaining portion
which may be designed for different types of serving containers. In
some embodiments one retaining portion 110b may be designed for
holding a glass or other beverage container and retaining portion
110a may be designed for holding a plate. One embodiment of tray
100 may contain a retaining portion for silverware. Other
embodiments consider retaining portions for multiple dishes for a
serving tray. Another embodiment of tray 100 contains a retaining
portion for medical utensils to provide a safe, orderly arrangement
during medical or dental procedures. Other embodiments of tray 100
may have retaining portions specialized to hold containers or tools
particular to a specific industry. While FIG. 4 illustrates the
retaining portions as circular, other shapes including square, oval
or rectangular shapes may be utilized. In one embodiment of food
tray 100 no retaining portion is utilized and insert 120 is
designed to fit a portion or portions of the top side of the tray
and to grip to the tray directly. When inserts 120 are in place in
retaining portions 110 they may lay flat and may provide a even
gripping surface for food containers.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates view of both sides of insert 120 showing
side 120a with smooth texture 500 and an opposite side 120b with a
design 510 to facilitate grip on moist containers. In some
embodiments this design may be a raised crosshatch or grid pattern.
In some embodiments both sides of insert 120 may be smooth. In some
embodiments both sides of insert 120 may be have a design to
facilitate grip on moist containers. A variety of designs
consisting of raised or grooved patterns may be utilized so that
insert 120 may retain grip on a food or beverage container when the
container or insert is moist. The insert 120 may be placed in the
retaining portion 110 of tray 100 so that either side is facing up.
If the side 120b is facing up it may facilitate grip on a serving
container by reducing slippage of a food container if there is
moisture on the insert or the food container. In some embodiments
this may be used to reduce slippage of "sweating" glasses. The
crosshatch pattern may be a pattern that is not significantly
raised such that it does not significantly affect the appearance of
the design of the insert but still reduces the slippage of moist
food containers.
[0015] Some of the terminology used herein may be understood as
follows:
[0016] Melamine is the chemical compound
(triamino-triazine--C3N6H6), comprising carbon, nitrogen and
hydrogen.
[0017] While the foregoing description includes details and
specificities, it should be understood that such details and
specificities have been included for the purposes of explanation
only, and are not to be interpreted as limitations of the present
invention. Many modifications to the embodiments described above
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, as it is intended to be encompassed by the following
claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *